TIR Method Offers Life Enhancement

It is usually clear when one has suffered a severe traumatic incident. People can identify physically or emotionally devastating events that leave a lasting impression. Traumatic Incident Reduction (TIR) is being used to bring relief to clients who are suffering the after-effects of trauma. However, the same technique can also be used more broadly to improve one’s quality of life.

Let’s look at an imaginary example. As a young child, Paula was criticized by her teacher for something she said and her classmates laughed at her. She felt unable to say anything else, out of fear she would be ridiculed again. Later in life, Paula is criticized by her supervisor for making errors in a work project. Although she wants to discuss the issues, Paula again feels that she cannot communicate. What Paula does not see are the influences of her earlier experience and so she cannot overcome those influences. Instead, Paula believes that she is a naturally poor communicator. What TIR demonstrates is that a negative reaction to a situation can often be traced to some similarity with an earlier event, such as Paula’s schoolroom incident, and that such influences can be overcome.

Throughout life these unwanted influences can become active when some condition from a past painful incident is similar to a current situation. From these incidents a series of events with some similarity become connected in one’s unconscious mind. The power of this kind of impact is that it is hidden from the awareness of the person who feels it. Helping a client to uncover and deal with these lesser and possibly forgotten painful incidents is also part of the work of Traumatic Incident Reduction. Using the TIR process, guided by a trained facilitator, Paula was able to trace back the times that she was unable to communicate effectively, and other times when she felt anxious and embarrassed, to the classroom incident.

Reviewing that painful incident many times in the specific TIR procedure allowed her to see the incident more clearly and eventually dispel the power that it had over her. Paula has since strengthened her communication skills and is now able to articulate her position even when criticized.

Thus, TIR can not only reduce the effects of an obvious trauma, it can also bring about an improvement in other areas of one’s life. Sometimes people say “I can only do my best.” TIR offers an opportunity to improve a person’s life and enhance their abilities, in fact to achieve “a new best.” Improved ability to communicate, improved personal relations, a more positive feeling about life, less aches and pains…the kinds of improvements a person can achieve are as varied as the individuals who seek TIR services.